Clock regulator



B- JOHNSON July 8, 1941.

CLOCK REGULATOR Filed Feb. 10, 1941- NIH ' INVENTOR. @m

VII

Patented July 8, 1941 UNETED STATES T @FFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in timepieces of the clock type, and more particularly to means for adjusting the regulator.

In clocks of the ordinary type an arcuate opening is formed through the rear of the casing, by means of which access may be had to a stem, movable manually to the right or left and connected to a fine spring by which a balance wheel is urged to rotate reciprocatively.

Moving the stem operates to lengthen or shorten the operative length of spring as may be required to increase or decrease the speed of the balance wheel, thereby cause the clock the run faster or slower as may be req tired.

However, such adjusting means are diilicult to operate the precise small amount required and, further, is subjected to shocks, jars, etc., they may be moved accidentally and the clock caused to gain or lose time inadvertently.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide means whereby the regulation of a clock may be easily and accurately accomplished.

A further feature is in the provision of a regulating means adapted to retain its adjusted position, slipping being avoided when in an ad- Justed position.

Another purpose is to produce a simple, inexpensive device for the foregoing purposes, and by which permanent adjustment is obtainable.

These objects are attained by the novel construction and combination of parts hereinafter described and shown in the annexed drawing, constituting a component of this disclosure, and in which- Figure 1 is a rear elevational View of a conventional type of clock in which is incorporated an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged side elevational view, partially in section, of the parts constituting the invention indicating its application.

Referring in further detail to the drawing, the numeral designates in general the base of a common form of clock carrying a casing l I, here shown as circular, but which may be of any other shape.

The back of the clock casing is provided with the usual setting devices .for winding the motor spring, setting the hands, alarm and the like, and commonly has in its central lower portion an arcuate slot l2.

In the present embodiment the upper edge of the arcuate slot l2 has formed in it a series of rack teeth 55, which can be produced without extra expense when the casing blank is subjected to press operations during its manufacture.

A bracket i6 is pivotally supported in any convenient manner, axially of the slot l2, as at H, the bracket having an inreaching arm 18, biiurcated or provided with a slot l9 adapted to engage the outermost coil of a hair-spring.

Another arm 2% reaches outwardly through the arcuate slot 12, having an upturned end 21 containing a bearing 22 and mounted in the bearing is a spindle 23, its inner portion enlarged and formed as a pinion 24 engageable with the rack teeth [5 and by which the device is movable.

A knob 25 is secured on the outer reduced end 26 of the spindle the knob being held by a clamp nut 21 to facilitate maneuvering the device.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that a simple, yet highly efficient device has been disclosed, whereby minute adjustments of a clock regulator are attainable, and that such adjustment is maintained until further changes are required.

Having thus described the invention, together with its construction and application, what is claimed as new and sought to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination with a clock having an arcuate slot in its casing and a regulator projecting therethrough, a series of rack teeth formed in one of the longitudinal edges of the slot, and a pinion fixed on said stem to engage said teeth.

2. In combination with a clock having an arcuate slot in its casing and a regulator adjusting stern extending into said slot, a plurality of rack teeth formed in the upper arcuate edge of said slot, a bracket pivoted in said casing on the axis of the arcuate slot, a spindle rotatable in the bracket, a pinion fast on said spindle in engagement with said rack teeth and a knob outwardly beyond said pinion to facilitate turning thereof.

BEN JOHNSON. 

